2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, offering an upscale appearance for a mainstream family sedan. The car's visual appeal was enhanced by the 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trim levels, while other versions with 17-inch wheels were seen as less visually striking but more cost-effective in the long run. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, good-feeling leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious space.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was polarizing among consumers. The N Line treatment further enhanced its appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes and gloss black accents, giving it a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. The Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with premium materials, a panoramic sunroof, and a reworked rear design with a four-outlet exhaust system. The interior was dressed with Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, and red stitching, creating a sporty yet comfortable environment. The Sonata's daring design and upscale interior made it a standout choice for those seeking a unique and stylish sedan.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking efficiency, the 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, provided a thrilling driving experience with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires contributed to its fun-to-drive nature, while the steering was accurate and well-weighted. However, the brakes could have been improved for better performance during spirited driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, along with an Active Sound Design system for an enhanced engine note. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and improved steering made it a joy to drive on winding roads. Despite being front-wheel drive, the Sonata N Line handled well with minimal understeer, and its suspension effectively managed body roll and road imperfections. The car's fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

The 2020 Honda Accord was nearly a full-size sedan, offering generous rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry. The 12-way power driver's seat provided excellent comfort, while the rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with heated outboard positions on higher trims. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. The Accord's interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and ergonomic controls, though the lack of a handle to close the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front occupants. While the rear seat space was not significantly larger than the Elantra N Line, the Sonata offered rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The trunk provided 453 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release was a convenient feature, though the lack of an interior handle for closing the trunk was a drawback.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface, featuring volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and clear graphics. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a ten-speaker premium audio system on higher trims. The Touring trim added HondaLink services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the voice recognition system required specific prompts for accurate responses. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the reversing camera offered multiple viewing angles for improved visibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless charging, and a Bose premium sound system, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link services. The lack of a WiFi hotspot was a notable omission. The infotainment system's design was sleek, but the absence of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob led to occasional user frustration. The voice recognition system was generally effective, and the Sounds of Nature feature provided ambient noise tracks for a calming driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for the Touring trim. While Honda Sensing was comprehensive, some features required refinement, such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and more. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata's ADAS was smooth and reliable, instilling confidence in the driver. While the N Line had not been independently tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the standard Sonata received high safety ratings.